GAME NOTES: Lady Statesmen Basketball NCAA South Region Tournament Notes (3.11-14,11)
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CLEVELAND - The No. 4 Lady Statesmen (26-3) of Delta State University begin their quest for a seventh national championship when play begins Friday, March 11 at the NCAA South Region Tournament in Russellville, Ark. The Lady Statesmen received an at-large bid and the No. 2 seed in this week's event. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for senior citizens/students. Children under 12 get in free and all tickets are available at the door of Tucker Coliseum.

Delta State will open up with No. 7 seed North Alabama (21-6) at 3 p.m. on Friday in Tucker Coliseum. DSU and UNA will be meeting for first time in NCAA postseason play and the 46th time in series history. Delta State holds a sizeable 40-5 lead in the standings, including a 63-44 victory at Flowers Hall on Nov. 29, 2010 in Florence, Ala.

One of the nation's most successful women's programs, Delta State holds Gulf South Conference records for NCAA postseason appearances (23), victories (52), Elite Eight appearances (13), Final Four berths (9) and NCAA National Championships (3). The Lady Statesmen's 52 NCAA Tournament wins are also a Division II record.

The Lady Statesmen have played six games this season against teams participating in the NCAA South Region Tournament, posting a 4-2 record. All-time, Delta State boasts a 103-29 mark against the field in Russellville, Ark.

Led by Veronica Walker, who was named the Gulf South Conference West Division Player of the Year for a second straight season, Delta State placed two players on the All-Gulf South Conference First Team. Sarita “Bug” Cooper joined Walker on the First Team and closes her career as a four-time All-GSC honoree. Sandra Rushing also claimed her sixth straight GSC West Division Coach of the Year honor, a league record for either East or West divisions.

Since taking over the program in 2002-03, Lady Statesmen head coach Sandra Rushing is 230-50 (.823) with four GSC championships, two NCAA South Region titles, two NCAA Final Four appearances and five-straight NCAA Sweet 16 finishes. Rushing is 14-6 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.

LADY STATESMEN TO WATCH
#1 • SARITA “BUG” COOPER • G • 5-6 • SENIOR • INDIANOLA, MISS./GENTRY HS
Senior guard Sarita “Bug” Cooper became just the 32nd Lady Statesman in school history to score 1,000 career points with 1,059 in 131 career games. Cooper, who holds the DSU NCAA Era and Gulf South Conferrence record for career assists with 942, scored her 1,000th career point with 10 at Southern Arkansas (2.3.11). For a third straight season, the two-time All-American leads the NCAA in assists per game (8.9) and ranks fifth in assists-to-turnover ratio (2.53). She is also averaging a career high 5.1 rebounds per game while scoring 8.1 points per game. She has topped 250 assists for a third straight year and her 942 career assists rank third all-time in NCAA Division II history.

#30 • VERONICA WALKER • F • 6-1 • JUNIOR • INDIANOLA, MISS./GENTRY HS
Junior forward Veronica Walker has established herself as one of the nation's elite post players in her three seasons for the Lady Statesmen. The Indianola native was named the GSC West Division Player of the Year for a second straight year and the CellularSouth Gillom Trophy recipient after averaging 18.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. She leads the GSC in FG percentage (62.3), rebounding (9.8) and blocks (2.2) per game. In just 95 games, the Indianola native has scored 1,607 points to rank eighth in school history while grabbing 804 rebounds, which is good for 12th.

LADY STATESMEN GRAB AT-LARGE BERTH
After falling in the GSC Championship game 73-62 to Arkansas Tech, the Lady Statesmen (26-3) claimed their sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth with an at-large bid into this week's South Regional in Russellville, Ark.

The green-and-white are making their 23rd appearance all-time in Division II's big dance with an all-time mark of 53-20 (.726). DSU owns GSC records for appearances, wins, NCAA region titles, Elite Eight and Final Four appearances and NCAA National Championships.

NCAA Tournament Appearances: 23*
NCAA Tournament Record: 52-20 (.722)*/NCAA record
Elite Eight Appearnaces: 13*
Final Four Appearances: 9*
Championships: Three/(Three AIAW titles)*
Last Appearance: 2009-2010/NCAA South Region Final
Rushing at NCAA Tournament: 14-6 (.700)
NCAA Appearances under Rushing: Seven

LADY STATESMEN SEEKING FOURTH NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND SEVENTH OVERALL
Delta State enters the NCAA South Region Tournament seeking its seventh national championship in school history. The Lady Statesmen claimed three-straight A.I.A.W. National championships from 1975, 1976, and 1977 under the legendary coach Margaret Wade.

The Lady Statesmen would claim three additional NCAA titles after joining DII under former Delta legend Lloyd Clark. DSU took home the top prize in 1989, 1990, and 1992. Should the Lady Statesmen earn the national championship, it would snap a 19-year title drought.

Coach Sandra Rushing led the Lady Statesmen to back-to-back NCAA Final Four finishes in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

CLEVELAND - TITLE TOWN
The Delta State University Lady Statesmen have dominated the Gulf South Conference over the years. The Lady Statesmen own virtually every GSC and NCAA Tournament record in the books. In NCAA history, DSU has appeared in a league-record 23 NCAA regionals with an all-time record of 52-20 (.722).

The Lady Statesmen have made 13 NCAA Elite Eight appearances and nine Final Fours, including 2007-08 and 2008-09, and four championship appearances.

The Lady Statesmen have claimed three NCAA National Championships (1989, 1990, and 1992) and three A.I.A.W. crowns (1975, 1976, and 1977). No other school in the GSC has claimed a national championship in women's basketball.

WALKER GRABS GILLOM TROPHY
Her work on the court is undeniable and on Monday the state of Mississippi took notice, as Delta State University junior forward Veronica Walker was named the 2011 CellularSouth Gillom Trophy receipient. The CellularSouth Gillom Trophy is presented annually to the state's top collegiate player and Monday's announcement took place at an awards luncheon inside the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Walker beat out Mississippi State senior Mary Katherine Govero and University of Mississippi senior Kayle Melson for the award.

The Indianola native has led the Lady Statesmen to a 26-3 mark this season and berth in the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament. Averaging 18.4 point and 9.8 rebounds, Walker was named the Gulf South Conference West Division Player of the Year for a second year in a row this season. She ranked third in the GSC in scoring and leads the league in rebounding and blocked shots (2.4) per game. Her 62.3 field goal percentage is also tops in NCAA DII.

Walker, a former standout at Indianola's Gentry High School, ranks eighth all-time in DSU women's basketball history in scoring 1,607 points and 12th with 803 rebounds. Her 194 blocks is also good for third all-time in school histiory.

RUSHING CLAIMS 6TH-STRAIGHT GULF SOUTH WEST COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
Lady Statesmen head coach Sandra Rushing can say that she has accomplished a feat no other coach in GSC history has done - winning six straight GSC Coach of the Year honors. Rushing has guided the Lady Statesmen to a 26-3 record and a top five national ranking all season. Over the last six years, the Biloxi native is 174-22 (.890) over the past six seasons, including five-straight NCAA “Sweet 16” finishes and back-to-back Final Fours in 2008 and 2009, and four GSC titles.

LADY STATESMEN FACE UNA IN FIRST ROUND OF NCAA'S
Delta State will open the 2011 NCAA South Region Tournament against No. 7 seed North Alabama (21-6) on Friday, March 11 at 3 p.m. inside Tucker Coliseum in Russellville, Ark. The Lady Statesmen and Lady Lions will be meeting for 46th time with DSU holding a 40-5 edge in the series.

The Lady Statesmen and Lady Lions met on Nov. 29, 2010 at Flowers Hall in Florence, Ala., with DSU claiming a 63-44 win.

UNA would regroup and go on to win the GSC's East Division title before falling in the first round of the GSC Tournament 67-58 to Harding in Southaven.

STIFF TEST FOR SOUTH REGION
With eight of the nation's top teams converging in Russellville, Ark., this week, the winner of the South Region Women's Basketball Tournament will certainly be challenged. The teams combine for a 184-47 record.

The Arkansas Tech University Golden Suns (27-2) won the right to host the regional following a 73-62 victory over Delta State (26-3) for the Gulf South Conference Tournament title.

Florida Southern (24-4) will take on GSC member Ouachita Bapitst (20-8) in the No. 3 versus No. 6 seed matchup on the side of the bracket with DSU. The winner will face the DSU versus North Alabama (21-6) in the No. 2 versus No. 7 showdown.

ATU will open up with SIAC champion Fort Valley State (22-9). Florida Tech (23-8) and Tampa (21-7) will meet in the No. 4 versus No.5 contest, with the winner to face ATU or Fort Valley State.

FLORIDA ON MY MIND
The Lady Statesmen could potentially face three teams from the Sunshine State of Florida - Florida Southern (24-4), Florida Tech (23-8) or Tampa (21-7). Delta State has a combined record of 9-0 against the three schools all-time. The green-and-white hold matching 4-0 records against the FSC Lady Moccasins and FIT Lady Panthers, while going 1-0 against the Lady Spartans of Tampa.

PEACH STATE BREAKDOWN
Delta State and Fort Valley State have met five times previously, including once in NCAA South Region Tournament play. The Lady Wildcats defeated the Lady Statesmen 81-65 in the quarterfinals of the 1998-99 NCAA South Regional in Fort Valley, Ga.

GSC POSTSEASON SUCCESS
With four teams from the Gulf South Conference in this week's NCAA South Region Tournament, the Lady Statesmen are certain to face familiar foes this week at Tucker Coliseum. In 22 previous trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Lady Statesmen are 14-7 all-time against teams from the GSC, including former members Jacksonviile State, Tennessee-Martin and Troy.

While DSU and UNA have never met in NCAA postseason play, the Lady Statesmen are 1-0 against Ouachita Baptist and 2-1 versus tournament host and top-seed Arkansas Tech.

WALKER NAMED GSC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
For the second consecutive season, Delta State forward Veronica Walker earned the West Division Player of the Year Award. Walker, who also was the West Division's top freshman two seasons ago, dominated the paint this season for the Lady Statesmen. The junior from Indianola, Miss., leads the GSC in field goal percentage (.623), rebounds (9.8), blocked shots (63) and double-doubles (18). She is also third in scoring (18.4) and fourth in free throw percentage (80.4). She was named West Division Player of the Week three times – tied for the most this season.

Walker's selection marks the 12th time a Lady Statesman has been named the GSC West's top player and the fourth time under head coach Sandra Rushing.

Year/Player of the Year
1985-86 Delinda Samuel
1989-90 Crystal Hardy
1991-92 Latonya Patty
1995-96 Stacy Johnson
1997-98 Trina Davis
1998-99 Nicole Trotter-Francis
1999-2000 Caroline Boclair
2000-01 Caroline Boclair
2006-07 Jennifer Rushing
2007-08 Jennifer Rushing
2009-10 Veronica Walker
2010-11 Veronica Walker

COOPER AND BELL ADD TO LEGACY OF SENIOR CLASS
Seniors Sarita “Bug” Cooper and Moe Bell climbed into the top five in career games played at Delta State during the Gulf South Conference Tournament last week in Southaven. Cooper tied Amy Carroll (1989-92) for No. 3 on the all-time games played list with 131. Bell jumped into the top four as well, tying Lady Statesman greats Crystal Hardy (1987-90) and Leslie McKiernon (1990-93) with 130.

The tandem trails Carla Holder's record of 135 career games played. Holder starred for the Lady Statesmen from 1981-84. Doreen Grote (1978-81) ranks second with 134.

1,000 ASSISTS IN SIGHT; COOPER CLIMBS TO NO. 3 IN NCAA HISTORY
It's a rare club - 1,000 points/900 assists. So rare in fact, that Sarita “Bug” Cooper is only its second member; joining Ramona Von Boeckman, who scored 1,278 points and dished out 1,005 assists in the height of Lady Statesmen dominance in the A.I.A.W. era.

Cooper, who holds the DSU NCAA Era and Gulf South Conference record for career assists with 942, which ranks third in NCAA history, became the 32nd player in school history to score 1,000 points in a career with 10 points at Southern Arkansas (2.3.11). In 131 career games, Cooper has scored 1,052 points.

Her career has been one marked with success after success. The Lady Statesmen are 116-15 with Cooper at the point, including two Gulf South Conference titles, back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances in 2007-08 and 2008-09 and three consecutive NCAA Sweet 16's.

BELL JOINS 1,000 POINT CLUB; ADDS TO RECORDS
Senior shooting guard Moe Bell has enjoyed one of the greatest careers in school history. With a 114-14 mark on the floor and two GSC titles, Bell has literally shot the Lady Statesmen to those successes and on Thursday, Feb. 24 with six points at Christian Brothers she joined the 1,000-Point Club at Delta State.

The Madison native already holds school records for single-season free throw percentage (87.8), 3-point attempts (662), career 3-points made (280), 3-pointers made in a single game (10) and 3-pointers made in a season (99). Her 42.3 3-point field goal percentage ranks second all-time in Gulf South Conference history behind Becky Mauck's (UNA) 45.7 percent.

RARELY BEHIND
Delta State has trailed in the second half of a game this season only five times. At Pruitt Hall on Dec. 2, 2010, the Lady Statesmen roared back from 10 down to West Alabama with 18:22 to play to win the game 58-56, and DSU claimed another 10-point defeicit win 59-56 over Harding in the GSC Tournament Semifinals. DSU's only other deficits came in losses to Harding and Arkansas Tech.

THE BUG...NOT A BUG
Senior Bug Cooper will deliver, whether its scoring her 1,000th point against Southern Arkansas (2.3.11), or more often than not, in the assist column. Cooper leads NCAA DII with 8.9 assists per game, on pace to lead all divisions for the third year in a row (8.7 assists per game in 2008-2009 and 8.4 assists per game in 2009-2010).

The accurate passer ranks third in NCAA DII history with her 942 assists., which is of course is No. 1 in GSC history. She protects the ball as well, leading the conference in assist to turnover ratio (2.73).

WALKER AND COOPER CANDIDATES FOR WBCA NATIONAL POY
It's rare for one team to feature two players with the ability to earn the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's National Player of the Year Award, but the Lady Statesmen feature just that in point guard Sarita “Bug” Cooper and power forward Veronica Walker.

PAINT IT GREEN
This season, the Lady Statesmen are dominating the offensive floor, particularly in the paint. They are outscoring the opponent 980-646 in the low post. The green-and-white have impressively scored 30 points in the painted area 20 times this season, and four times the Lady Statesmen have scored over 50 points down-low. Delta State is averaging an impressive 35.0 points in the paint while the opposition is averaging 12.1 points less (23.1).

HOT OFF THE BENCH
The Lady Statesmen have one of the deepest benches in the Gulf South Conference. Off the bench, DSU has out-scored the opponent 572-380 (20.4-13.6) for the season. The bench players have scored 30 or more points seven time this season with a season-high 54 points against Tougaloo on Nov. 22. In GSC play, the green-and-white scored a high 45 points off the bench against Christian Brothers University at Sillers on Jan. 27.

DIRTY DELTA “D”
Through 29 games, the Lady Statesmen have held opponents to a measly 36.7 percent clip from the floor, which ranks first in the Gulf South Conference. The Lady Statesmen lead the GSC and are ranked sixth in the NCAA, allowing opponents a measly 54.3 points per game. Sandra Rushing's club is not just playing solid defense, they rank second in the GSC with a 46.9 FG percentage, which ranks fourth nationally, and they are averaging 71.6 points per game.

OUR VERY OWN ISAAC NEWTON...
Junior Veronica Walker has stretches where it seems like she won't miss. At 62.3 percent from the field, Walker leads the NCAA DII/GSC in field goal percentage for a second consecutive year. Her percentage ranks third in the nation and gives her a chance to lead NCAA DII in back-to-back years (63.7% in 2009-2010).

GET THAT MESS OUTTA HERE...
Junior forward Veronica Walker tied the school record for blocked shots in a game with nine in DSU's 76-50 win over Southern Arkansas (1.8.11). Walker tied the mark held by Vickie Jackson, who set the record versus Troy State on Feb. 10, 1986. The Indianola native leads the GSC in blocks per game at 2.4 and is chasing the school's career record for blocked shots. In two-plus seasons, Walker has swatted 191 shots to rank third all-time at DSU. She needs 42 blocks to break the school record of 232 held by former Lady Statesmen Pam Lockett (1987-90).

RUSHING FOCUSED ON DELIVERING TITLE TO CLEVELAND
In the last six years, coach Sandra Rushing has guided the Lady Statesmen to a 174-22 (.887) record, four Gulf South Conference championships, two NCAA South Region titles, five-straight NCAA Sweet 16 finishes and back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances; but it's still not enough. Rushing came to Delta State to do one thing, win a national championship. This year's goal is the same as the last five and the Biloxi native and former Alabama standout will take nothing less.

YEAR	RECORD	SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2010-11	26-3	No. 3 WBCA Ranking/NCAA At-Large Berth
2009-10	27-4	NCAA Sweet
2008-09	30-7	GSC Champions/NCAA Final Four
2007-08	33-1	GSC Champions/NCAA Final Four
2006-07	28-4	GSC Champions/NCAA Sweet 16
2005-06	30-3	GSC Champions/NCAA Sweet 16
TOTALS	174-22	Four GSC Championships/Five straight NCAA Sweet 16's

DEFENSE NAME OF THE GAME FOR LADY STATESMEN
DSU has historically been a dominant defensive basketball team and coach Sandra Rushing has hung her hat on the ability to stop the opposition. If you look back over Delta State's four-straight Gulf South Conference championship seasons, the Lady Statesmen finished first in the conference in scoring and field goal percentage defense, while finishing no lower than fourth in the NCAA in scoring defense.

Despite winning 27 games and advancing to the NCAA South Region Championship game, the Lady Statesmen got away from “Delta Defense” last season. DSU ranked 12th in scoring defense after ranking no lower than fourth in the previous four seasons.

YEAR NCAA RANK SCORING DEFENSE
2010-11 / 5th /  54.3
2009-10 / 12th /  54.9
2008-09 / 4th / 52.0
2007-08 / 3rd / 51.6
2006-07 / 3rd / 49.2
2005-06 / 3rd / 46.8
2004-05 / 17th / 56.1
2003-04 / 4th / 53.1
2002-03 / NR / 64.8

COOPER TOPS 200 ASSISTS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR
Lady Statesmen point guard Sarita “Bug” Cooper has topped the 200 assists barrier for a third straight season. The senior has 258 on the year to lead NCAA DII. She had 289 as a sophomore and 265 as a junior, both numbers led all NCAA Divisions in assists.

RAY MATURES OVERNIGHT
Aubree Ray played an important role in the Gulf South Conference Tournament. The young freshman averaged 21.3 minutes of playing time for the week. Overall, Ray combined for 17 points and six rebounds.

Her best game was against Arkansas Tech in the GSC Championship where she scored eight points and pulled in two rebounds in her 26 minutes of play.

WALKER NAMED TO GSC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
With no surprise, junior forward Veronica Walker showed tremendous athleticism and talent in the GSC Tournament. For the Lady Statesmen, Walker was high-scorer in each game and over the three game span, she averaged 20 point and 10 rebounds a game. The Indianola native achieved double-doubles in two out of the three games. Because of her domination on the court, she earned a spot on the 2011 All-Tournament team for a third straight year.

OLYMPIC & NBA LINKS
Former Lady Statesmen great Lusia Harris-Stewart holds the distinction of scoring the first basket in Olympic Women's Basketball history. Harris was also drafted by the NBA's New Orleans Jazz following the 1977-78 season, becoming the first female drafted into the National Basketball Association.

LADY STATESMEN ALL-GSC SELECTIONS
The Lady Statesmen boast more all-Gulf South Conference selections than any other member institution. In fact, since 1986 the Lady Statesmen have placed 49 players on the postseason honors team.

YEAR RECIPIENT
1986 Delinda Samuel (MVP), Vickie Jackson, Burnadette McDonald
1987 Burnadette McDonald, Betsy Hubbs
1988 Crystal Hardy
1989 Crystal Hardy, Pam Lockett
1990 Crystal Hardy (MVP),Pam Lockett
1991 LaTanya Patty
1992 LaTanya Patty (MVP), Shorlone Crockam, Leslie McKiernon
1993 Shorlone Crockam, LaTanya Patty, Leslie McKiernon
1994 Stacy Johnson, Theresa Perry
1995 Lynn Rose, Theresa Perry, Charise Stratton
1996 Stacy Johnson, Tanya Redmond
1997 Trina Davis, Stacy Johnson
1998 Trina Davis
1999 Nicole Trotter-Francis
2000 Nicole Francis, Caroline Boclair
2001 Caroline Boclair, Katrina King
2002 Megan Teel
2004 Jessica Dunlap, Emily Mabus
2005 Jennifer Rushing
2006 Lawanda Stewart, Jennifer Rushing
2007 Jennifer Rushing, Brittani Calhoun, Jessica Boyd
2008 Jennifer Rushing, Lakira Boyd
2009 Sarita “Bug” Cooper, Moe Bell, LaMaesha McAdory, Veronica Walker
2010 Veronica Walker, Sarita “Bug” Cooper
2011 Veronica Walker, Sarita “Bug” Cooper